10 Yu-Gi-Oh! Decks you need to try that aren't Maxx "C" magnet

In the meta most especially in OCG and Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, we anticipate that you'll play against a myriad of handtraps you can ever imagine and in today's Metagame, going second without any disruptions against opponent plays could mean game over. Clearly, determining who goes first and second in the first game may predict your fate. 

While handtraps are our go to cards to control the pace of opponent's plays, you wouldn't want to experience the same destiny especially when your opponent would gain card advantage and that is through Maxx "C". 

Similar to Nibiru, the Primal Being, Maxx "C" puts pressure the moment it's used. Looking at the effect, it doesn't do anything to affect the field you are trying to establish but the creepy part is if you do, the player who resolved it would gain a lot of card advantage which would eventually make your established field futile. We always have a choice though either you take the challenge or you end your special summoning. Most of the time, it's always the latter choice....until I discovered, choosing decks that do not instantly get affected by Maxx "C". 

You saw that right! Today, we're going to list 10 decks/archetypes that can stand a chance even with roaches around. (And we'll sort it backwards 'cause why not) 

10. Paleozoic

The initial Level 2 swarm deck before Splights came and the original archetype that can co-exist with Frogs. The deck while still can be affected by a well-timed Maxx "C" chain can still playaround with it by setting a bunch of backrows and floodgates. It has good swarming capabilities mid-late game once you are able to use your traps as materials for your Rank 2's and basically those traps would become free XYZ fodder already. With the new Splight cards, the archetype has new tools in its arsenal.

9. Yosenju

Yosenju has been one of my go-to archetypes as it's not affected by Maxx "C" at all when you just keep swarming them with the OG level 4 Yosenju monster. Yosenju Kama 1 guarantees a card removal every turn while Kama 2 and Kama 3 provides damage and card advantage every single turn. The deck can also run powerful mass board wipe cards like Torrential Tribute and Rippling Mirror Force which are very satisfying to resolve against a full monster board.

I made a variant back then which mains several Kaiju monsters to ensure that Kama 1 can always bounce the threat off and repeat the process. Back in 2015, I also used this deck and compete in tournaments which is found here.

8. Phantasm Spiral

One of my favorite stun decks. Phantasm Spiral generates free card advantage and control strategy by summoning Normal monsters and did I mention the field spell can summon a Normal monster (Token) so long as your opponent activates a card or effect? 

The token summoning is also isn't once per turn so you wouldn't have to worry about being wiped by Raigeki or Dark Hole. The deck can also main irksome floodgates like Inspector Boarder and Skill Drain. One downside of this deck is it's weak against backrow removal and mass wipe cards particularly Evenly Match (The token must be the only one to stay on the field since you cannot banish it face-down). If you'll try this deck, be sure to prepare sides against those threats by using cards like Solemn Judgment, Dark Bribe, Champion's Vigilance etc.

7. Dinomorphia

Dinomorphia, a new archetype introduced in Battle of Chaos which got further support in Dimension Force is included in our list. Dinomorphia Rexterm is a very strong boss monster that can stun your opponent's monster depending on how low your LP is. 

While that sounds very risky, Dinomorphia can end games fast due to its amazing swarming capabilities with Dinomorphia Alert existing and can play around with Maxx "C" by just summoning Rexterm (and protect it at all cost). The downside of this deck are cards that can direct ATK and of course, the timed match. You have been warned.  

6. Therions

Therions is a new archetype which debuted in Dimension Force and got further support in Power of the Elements. The deck isn't reliant on Extra Deck and the monsters have some beefy stats. While the deck relies on Special Summoning, you can still live by when you special summon Therions' King Regulus while their field spell is face-up. That set-up alone provides a sure negation and protection from battle and recycle through their field spell. 

Also, for as long as you are able to meet its requirements to have a valid target in the grave when you're about to Special Summon a Therions monster, you wouldn't care if that card is removed by D.D crow or Transmigration Prophecy as it can still special summon itself. One of the biggest downside of Therions is it's reliance on a valid target in your graveyard and drawing multiple Therions without a valid target in grave for it to special summon itself could lead to brick.

5. Subterror 

Subterror is an excellent control deck which centered around their key monster, Subterror Guru which can provide card advantage every turn and can search a handtrap which is Subterror Fiendess. The deck isn't Special Summon heavy either but can still push for damage with the help of Subterror Final Battle. One major downside of this deck is going second when facing an already established field as well as card removals. One advantage though is because most players would prepare to side against top tier decks in the meta, they may not have much room to side against rogue match-up so we can use that as our edge already. 

4. Eldlich

Of course, the good 'ol Golden lord has a place in our list. If other decks can main 12-15 hand traps, Eldlich can have the same number but for Floodgates. Floodgates won't be dead as Eldlich the Golden Lord can just use them as fodder to revive itself over and over again. It also becomes as a big as 3500 ATK with card destruction protection included. A well-timed Maxx "C" against the Conquistador and Scarlet Sanguine combo can net +1 in hand advantage but that's about it. Majority of the decks don't have a game 1 answer to most floodgates Eldlich can main as well and that is a plus.

3. True Draco

Ah yes, the legendary True Draco. I still have nightmares against Master Peace.

The archetype isn't reliant on special summoning and with a decent amount of ATK and free card advantage when the opponent activates a card or effect, it can overwhelm your opponent and they wouldn't even notice it.

Like Therions, the deck can be a bit bricky if you drew all the monsters without your Spell/Traps and like Therions, a good technique is to main less amount of monsters. The deck can run Pot of Duality, Pot of Extravagance, Pot of Prosperity, Pot of Desires and Card of Demise. It isn't Extra Deck reliant and can also run floodgates. It's also a nice choice if you play on a budget but also wants a decent deck (and less friends after jk).

2. Floowandereeze

The newest addition to the stun family who debuted in Burst of Destiny and got further support in Battle of Chaos (and two sets drought after). Their hobby is to normal summon even on your opponent's turn and before you notice it, your draw has been locked because of Raiza. The deck has an excellent control factor with Floowandereeze X Empen floodgate effect and battle protection (even Avramax and Accesscode can't handle) and the infamous Barrier Statue of Stormwinds locking both players to special summoning except for WIND monsters. 

The deck has zero special summons (Unless you are in a tight situation and you need to go to Zeus). Like most stun decks, the deck's weakness is card removal and a well timed negation to your important searcher (Robina/Eaglen) and floodgate so be sure to be prepared for those. 

1. Stun/Anti-Meta

Our top 1 is no other than Stun also known as Anti-Meta. In a meta where special summoning and monster effects are key to winning, decks like these shine. There are also popular Stun/OTK variants like Danger! Kaiju Luna and Gren Maju Orochi OTK which you can also try if you prefer a beatdown approach. If you prefer the stun approach, you can either go with a heavy backrow approach or beatdown style (With Mage Power, Power of the Guardians, and Moon Mirror Shield). The latter has been chosen more often due to its versatility going first and second. 

Denying special summon can eventually make your opponent card advantage even out with yours as the turn goes by and they cannot remove your Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo. One reason why the Stun variant isn't too popular anymore is because of the number of cards in the game that can either remove or negate your floodgate monsters. Overall, it's still a nice approach to try and can catch your opponent off-guard.when you're tired against the meta XD.

Conclusion:

The meta is fast paced same with how the meta could shift very quickly when a new product or a Forbidden and Limited List arrive. In less than a Month, OCG will already have a glimpse of what the July 2022 OCG list would look like. Like the banlists, handtraps are inevitable but we can find ways on how to play around them. Whether you choose a Maxx "C" magnet deck or not, deck choice is a great factor to success in playing the game we love. 

How about you? What's your top 10? Share it in the comments.

Arcknight